Top 5 Kdrama Countdown: Watching it all so you dont have too - January Week 3.5

 We are already three weeks into the new year (I know that supposedly last week was written as week three but I think I started the blog title on the wrong week so we are going to improvise) and it is turning into a never ending kdrama marathon because everything so far has been amazing. It is so difficult to choose only five moments to discuss so I have to admit that I combined a few into "themes" so that you can be sure to get all of what was great and watchable this week.

#5 Music, Music, Music

This week has been all about the music for me.  I tend to really enjoy the OST's of the more melo focused dramas (the whole tragic love makes for some really haunting songs).  However two new dramas have really stood out with their French and English musical focus.  Can We Love and I Need Romance 3 both have expanded their traditional drama boundaries when it comes to the OST's by adding foreign music and I have loved ever minute of it.
Can We love has thrown American music into its OST like sprinkles on a cupcake.  And thankfully they have someone on their production team who understands English since the songs all fit the mood and actions of the characters perfectly.   Their main song by Bright#1 also has a Korean version that is used in the drama but for now I have hunted down (and it was seriously hard to find this song) the English version for your enjoyment.

Bright#1 - Everyday

I Need Romance 3 has decided to go with a more French inspired OST.  It's whimsical songs bring a sense of beauty and romance to the drama that complement the very intricate dreamlike concept the director is putting forth.  Even the main Korean song by Lee Hyori has a very French/European flare that you usually don't see in an OST. 

Lee Hyori - Don't Cry

Papermoon - Peu A Peu

#4 Reverse Cinderella

There is a new drama, A Well Raised Daughter, entering our lineup for its top five debut.  I have been loving this quirky daily and its girl lives as boy storyline immensely, but this is the first time I would say it had a stand out scene.   We always see the big Cinderella moment where the girl (usually looking just average) is pampered and fluffed and dressed in designer clothes and suddenly she is the most beautiful women ever seen.  It is a concept that is done in so many dramas (especially the gender bender ones) that you can predict them with ease.  So I was very pleasantly surprised when  A Well Raised Daughter decided to go a slightly different path.  To set the scene you have to understand that Jang Ha Na has lived like a boy almost her WHOLE life.  This is not one of those dramas where she is a pampered princess who cuts her hair because of a guy, nope she is a child that is so loyal and dutiful to her mother that she literally gave up anything feminine to grow up as a man from the age of seven.  She does not have all the feminine tells that you often see and she acts, speaks, fights, and moves with ease as a boy.  So when she comes to work in her spiffy new suit it is hilarious when both of the leading men totally go blank in the head at the sight of her.  And since she in all ways but the physical thinks like a guy she is totally clueless.  It is an adorable scene in a really cute show.  I plan on doing a more in depth review of the drama in the coming week but if you are interested in watching it check out darksmurfsubs.com.  You have to register (no money required) and it is worth it to watch  the shows that only get subbed there.

Two Guys and a Guy (who is really a girl) clip

#3 The Cherry on the Drama Sundae

As usually it was so hard to pick just one moment from My Love From Another Star to put in my top five.  So since I have two at the top of my list that have something in common I decided to combine them together.  Can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the added endings in each episode.  They add that extra oomph that just pulls the whole episode together in the end and makes your heart just start crying all over again for our star crossed lovers.
In episode 11 we are devastated as Do Min-Joon tries his hardest to push Cheon Song-Yi away (for her own good of course).  His cold expression anytime she is around just breaks my heart and I was as sad as the heroine was when he coldly rebuffed her love and ordered her to leave him alone.  She walks away from him devastated but little does she know that he pauses time and comes and kisses her one more time before she leaves.  I can practically hear the squeals of fans everywhere while they watched the added bonus from this episode.

The next day in episode 12 our hearts continued to feel so many emotions as we finally were able to see what Do Min-Joon was feeling behind his stoic facade.  Rather then taking it in stride it seems he is about to emotionally burst with the agony of leaving her.  His crying is not pretty nor feels like it has been created to make him look good in a scene.  It is heavy and heartbreaking and you can literally feel his agony as he sobs out that he does not want to leave her. This scene left me crying and with a whole new appreciation on Kim Soo Hyun's ability to act.

Stops Time Kiss Clip

Devastated Clip

#2 An Epic Jump

There is nothing greater then being within the emotional grips of an awesome action drama.  And to be honest, while there have been some great dramas that have included action scenes, there has not been a lot of dramas that I would define as action dramas.  Often if a drama is all action then it loses out on the plot/writing (Iris 2) or tends to be more of an intellectual fighting (Nine, Two Weeks).  So it is with the utmost pleasure that I have discovered that Inspiring Generation (Age of Feeling) has the best of both.  You have to give credit to a show that has you so involved that you hold your breath for three minutes as you watch the young hero Jung Tae almost die from being sucked under a train jump of a huge bridge and then almost drown in a fast flowing river.   You even know that it is not going to kill him since he is the hero of the drama, but you cant help being swept into the emotions of the scene.  For those of you who are on the fence about trying this drama (whether it is because of the actors chosen, or the bridal mask feel....even though it is nothing like Bridal Mask, just uses the same sets) take a leap of faith since this drama is worth it!

Bridge Jump Clip

#1 Karaoke Kissfest

 A week ago I had not even heard of this drama.  A friend made an off hand comment about it and of course I had to check it out.  I thought it was going to be a drama about the usually three female friends in their late thirties have to deal with hard lives, relationships, and each other.  And on the surface that is exactly what it is, but i think the director must be adding in subliminal messages or something because this drama is insanely ADDICTING.  So much that I literally felt an emptiness when I had caught up with all six episodes and was left shaking and wanting more.  Since then I have tried my hardest to get all of my kdrama friends to also enjoy the addiction since misery loves company.  In episode 5 we get one of my new top kdrama kisses.  Main guy and main girl are cheering themselves up by going out to enjoy some karaoke 

(OK......pause a minute for a quick American commentary on Asian's addiction to Karaoke rooms.  What the heck is up with the need to sing whenever possible.  For such a conservative culture they sure do lose their inhibitions anytime cheesy songs and a tambourine are involved.  Personally being locked in a room one on one with a guy (even if he is not someone I am interested in ) and performing would make me break out into terror sweats and I would probably pass out.  Yet they act as if it is totally fun and enjoyable.  I just do not get it.)

 Both in a good mood after they sing and shout to their hearts content, they then get on the topic of kissing.  The main girl, being divorced, comments that she really misses kissing and he randomly suggests that she can use his lips anytime she wants.  She then takes him up on his offer milliseconds later and then he returns the favor with an even more intense kissing session.  And for those of you paying attention the song used in the scene is indeed the song listed in my #5 top things of this week.
Making out Karaoke Style Clip

Yay, we have concluded another top five and our lives have all been improved because of it.  I cant wait to find out what will be on next weeks countdown.  Will I get some yummy Kim Hyun Joong action now that the older cast is starting in Inspiring Generation, or will Empress Ki come back on top now that we are hooking her up with the Emperor?  Or will one of the dailies make its way into the lineup.  You will have to check back next Sunday for our next top five to find out.  In the meantime  sneak a peak at my recaps on I Need Romance 3 and my special post (soon to come out) that reviews the newest dramas.  Are they worth watching or should you shove them to the back of the "to watch" list.  Find out soon.

Sincerely,
Kmuse

Dramas that I am currently watching:

Potato Star 2013QR23
A Well Raised Daughter (subs are behind in relation to the filming schedule)
One Warm Word
Can We Love
King's Daughter Soo Baek Hyang
Empress KI
Lets Eat
Prime Minister and I
My Love From Another Star
Golden Rainbow
Age of Feeling
I Need Romance - Be sure to check out my recaps!
Emergency Couple 
Angel's Revenge

Favorite Kpop Videos of 2013

Here are my top favorite Kpop MV's of 2013.  They do tend to drift towards the humorous since that is what I like.  So if you are looking for great ballads you should probably search elsewhere or check back for my favorite OST list coming out in the next couple of weeks. 

#1 Swings featuring Seo In Guk - Would You
With its Jazzy slow rap and amazing Vocals sung by my #1 Bias Seo In Guk, this song and MV easily earns a spot on my favorites list.  The colors visually pop off the screen and the story of a man bringing gifts to a picky injured girl is entertaining.  And did I mention Seo In Guk is in this MV!!!!!!!!!!!  He is so beautiful and charismatic.  I can and have watched it over and over again.

Would You MV

#2 Miss A - Hush Hush
This wins my vote for sexiest female MV of the year.  With the group dancing  (in very odd locations................ subway, empty store, bathroom/shower stall which I find as being kind of an weird/icky place to dance) to a wonderfully up beat song that gets stuck in your head.  I also like that unlike many other female groups, they looked like they were really dancing and not just roboticly copying each others movements.  I also appreciate that they decided to do a sexy MV without actually having that random one guy theme that so many of these groups go with.  Nothing is more distracting to a song/MV then watching a group of women/men all dating the same person.

Hush Hush MV

#3 MBLAQ - Smoky Girl
This was actually my first introduction to MBLAQ since I am fairly new to the whole Kpop scene.  I remember seeing posts about their "comeback" song and how amazing the MV was going to be.  And I for one was not disappointed.  Bringing a mature smooth dance club vibe, the MV and the five singers slipped their way into my favorites list.   I love the black and white theme and even the pop of bright pink courtesy of Thunder's hair.  And their wardrobe was beyond sexy and for once consisted of normal clothes.  Even months later I still am happy to hear it on my song rotation and their MV makes me want to go clubbing with a paint ball gun.

Smoky Girl MV

#4 Im Chang Jung - “Open the Door”

This is one of those MV's that is so epic you just want to share it with everyone (kpop fans and non kpop fans alike)  I was so impressed with this MV that I made a post just to share it earlier in the month.  It is so funny and filled with a whole truckload of cameo's (Super Junior's Heechul, U-KISS, Kim Soo Ro, Kim Jae Dong, Cho Dal Hwan, Jung Sung Ho, Yoon Da Hoon, Bobby Kim, DJ DOC, Solbi, Choi Daniel, Lee Jong Hyuk, Yoo Se Yoon, and more).  I joked with my mother that you truly have become Korean obsessed when you can start to enjoy trot.  I guess after three years of dramas I am there sine I even enjoy listening to the song.  So please enjoy Im Chang Jung “Open the Door”.

Open the Door MV

#5 Heo Young Saeng -The Art of Seduction -
Prepare yourself for a fun video full of very bright sets and an even brighter wardrobe.  Add in a fun storyline of one fan's fantasy/ kidnapper reality and you have an awesome MV.  Musically it is an all right song but mixed with the MV it becomes one of my favorites.  I imagine that many a fan has had similar fantasies and it is hilarious to see a stalker fan and Heo Young Saeng  live  in her fantasy world.

The Art of Seduction MV

#6 B1A4 - Whats Happening 

This is one of those videos that you watch and then watch again and you are still left wondering "What the heck did I just watch"??????  A mix of super cute and super weird it is one of those MV's that you have to just sit back and enjoy without asking any of the hard questions like: What are they doing?  What kind of house is that?  Why do they have plastic Barbie neighbors?  Where the writers drunk when they came up with this concept (the answer is yes yes they were very very drunk).  It is especially a great MV if you have a younger child/friend/sibling you are introducing Kpop to.  My 11 year old LOVES this MV.

Whats Happening MV 

#7 Exo - Growl
Boasting some of the most innovative camera work in an MV this year, Growl makes a group dancing in a empty room interesting for once.  I usually am not a fan of the empty room/dancing MV's but this one combined a great song, an awesome one shot rotating camera, and some amazing dancing into one hugely successful experience. 

Growl MV

#8 Lee Hyo Ri - Bad Girls
Girl power done right is the theme of this MV.  Following the life of one girl from birth to adulthood we get to enjoy a fun spunky storyline and a very upbeat song.  Not to mention some awesome makeup and equally Dabaek eyebrow action.

Bad Girl MV

#9 Kim Hyun Joong - Unbreakable
So I totally watched this MV for its amazing hip hop vibe and artsy visuals.......... You know the visuals that are shirtless and sweaty and dancing.  I declare that this is hands down the "hottest" MV of the year and Kim Hyun Joong makes us all want to push the slow-mo button and appreciate his many assets. So here is Unbreakable....be prepared to have the urge to rewatch it over and over.  You know so you can understand the deep and important message that the MV is trying to portray.

Unbreakable MV

#10 GD - Who You
 I had a hard time coming up with a 10th song that I really loved. So I decided to get some help from my awesome Kpop/Kdrama group on FB.  We had a poll and they voted and GD's "Who You" wins!  I personally had not seen this MV til now and was surprised at how cool it was.  I love the concept of filming the whole video in front of a live audience and it goes to show you how talented he is that he can perform this way and not have any hesitation.  He truly is a visionary.

Who You MV

So that concludes my Kpop segment of my favorites of 2013.  Be sure to share the love since that is how we spread the word on how fun Kpop and Kdramas are.  Nothing better then getting your BFF or family members hooked on your Kobsession.  Have a wonderful Christmas and check back for My lists for least favorite dramas of 2013 as well as favorite actors.

Merry Christmas,
Kmuse